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{{Short description|Chalukya Emperor from 566 to 592}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Kirttivarman I
| title = [[Maharaja]]<br>Shri-prithvi-vallabha<br>Satyashraya
| succession = Chalukya king
| reign = {{circa|566|592}}
| predecessor = [[Pulakeshin I]]
| successor = [[Mangalesha]]
| house = [[Chalukyas of Vatapi]]
| house-type = Dynasty
| father = [[Pulakeshin I]]
| issue = [[Pulakeshin II]], [[Kubja Vishnuvardhana|Vishnuvardhana]], Buddha-varasa
}}
{{Chalukyas|Vatapi}}

'''Kirttivarman I''' ({{IAST3|Kīrtti-varman}}; died 592) was the emperor of the [[Chalukyas of Vatapi|Chalukya dynasty]] from 566 until his death in 592. He ruled parts of present-day Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Kirttivarman was the son of his predecessor [[Pulakeshin I]], the first sovereign ruler of the dynasty. He expanded the Chalukya kingdom by defeating the [[Nalas of Pushkari|Nalas]], the [[Mauryas of Puri|Mauryas of Konkana]], the [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]], the [[Alupa dynasty|Alupas]], and the Gangas of [[Talakadu|Talakad]].

== Names and titles ==

Some of the dynasty's inscriptions call him Kirtti-raja. The [[Godachi]] inscription calls him Katti-arasa, which is probably a [[Kannada language]] variant of his name.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=38}}

Besides the regal title ''[[Maharaja]]'', the dynasty's inscriptions accord him the Chalukya family epithets ''[[Prithvi-vallabha (title)|Shri-prithvi-vallabha]]'', ''Vallabha'', and ''Satyashraya''. The [[Mahakuta group of temples|Mahakuta pillar]] inscription of his brother Mangalesha compares him to the legendary king [[King Puru|Puru]], calling him ''Puru-rana-parakrama'' ("valourous in war like Puru").{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=38}}

== Early life ==

Kirttivarman I was a son of [[Pulakeshin I]], the first sovereign ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. The [[Amminabhavi]] inscription, which is the last extant record from Pulakeshin's reign, is dated to the 566-567 CE ([[Shaka era|Shaka]] year 488). The 578 CE Badami inscription, which was issued during the 12th regnal year of Kirttivarman, is dated to the 31 October 578 CE (the ''[[Kartik Purnima|Karttika Paurnamasi]]'' of [[Shaka era|Shaka year]] 500).{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=38}} Thus, Kirttivarman must have ascended the throne in 566-567 CE.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=39}}

== Military conquests ==

The 578 CE Badami inscription and the Godachi inscription issued during Kirttivarman's reign do not provide any information about the political events of his reign. The [[Aihole]] inscription of Pulakeshin II states that Kirttivarman was "the night of doom" for the [[Nalas of Pushkari|Nalas]], the Mauryas, and the [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=39}} The [[Mahakuta Pillar]] inscription of Kirttivarman's brother and successor [[Mangalesha]] credits him with victories over rulers of several other kingdoms, but this is an obvious exaggeration.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=39}}

=== Kadambas ===

Apart from the Aihole inscription, several other Chalukya records credit Kirttivarman with victory over the [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]], whose capital was located at Vaijayanti (modern [[Banavasi]]), and whose various branches ruled in the adjacent areas. The Mahakuta Pillar inscription states that the ruler of Vaijayanti was one of the kings vanquished by Kirttivarman. The inscriptions of the later [[Chalukyas of Kalyani|Kalyani Chalukyas]], who claimed descent from the Vatapi Chalukyas, poetically describe Kirttivarman "as an axe that cut at the very roots of the Kadambas" (''[[Neolamarckia cadamba|kadamba]]'' is also the name of a tree).{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=40}}

Kirttivarman's father [[Pulakeshin I]] appears to have achieved some military successes against the Kadambas. Kirttivarman adopted a more aggressive policy against them, and annexed their capital to the Chalukya kingdom.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|pp=40-41}} The Chalukya inscriptions do not mention the contemporary Kadamba king, but he was most probably [[Ajavarman]], the son of [[Krishnavarman II]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=41}}

The Chalukya inscriptions issued during and after the regency of [[Vijaya-Bhattarika|Vijaya]] (r. {{Circa|650|655}}) state that Kirttivarman obtained "pure fame" by defeating the rulers of Banavasi and other ''mandalas'' (provinces), which suggests that he defeated the Kadambas of Banavasi, but also the rulers of other Kadamba branches.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=40}} The Aihole inscription states that he broke up a confederacy of the Kadambas: this confederacy may have included the [[Western Ganga dynasty|Gangas]] and the Sendrakas, who were allowed to rule as Chalukya vassals after Kirttivarman's victory.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|pp=40-41}}

=== Nalas ===

The [[Nala dynasty]] ruled in and around present-day [[Chhattisgarh]] during the 6th century. Besides the Aihole inscription, Kirttivarman's victory over the Nalas is also mentioned in the later Chalukya records which state that he destroyed the habitations (''nilaya'') of the Nalas.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=42}}

During the time of Kirttivarman's grandson [[Vikramaditya I]] and his successors, the Chalukya empire had a ''[[vishaya]]'' (province) named Nalavadi, whose name may have derived from its former rulers, the Nalas.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=42}}

=== Mauryas of Konkana ===

The [[Mauryas of Puri|Mauryas of Konkana]] (modern [[Konkan]]) ruled the coastal region of present-day [[Maharashtra]], from their capital at Puri, which is generally identified with Gharapuri on the [[Elephanta Island]]. After defeating the Mauryas, Kirttivarman appears to have appointed a new governor for the former Maurya territory.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=42}}

According to one theory, this governor was Satyashraya Dhruva-raja Indra-varman, who is variously identified as Kirttivarman's maternal relative or a member of his family. The Nerur inscription from the reign of Kirttivarman's successor Mangalesha records the donation of the Kundivataka village in Konkana ''vishaya'' (province) by this governor. According to another theory, the governor appointed by Kirttivarman was Svamiraja, a Chalukya chief, who according to the Nerur inscription, was defeated and killed by Mangalesha.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=42}}

=== Alupas ===

According to the Mahakuta Pillar inscription, Kirttivarman subjugated the [[Alupa dynasty|Alupas]] (also called Alukas or Aluvas), who subsequently became Chalukya feudatories. The [[find spot]]s of the Alupa inscriptions suggest that they ruled in the [[Dakshina Kannada]] region.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=43}}

=== Gangas ===

The Mahakuta Pillar inscription also mentions Kirttivarman's victory over the Gangas, who like the Alupas, ended up as Chalukya feudatories. These Gangas were most probably the Gangas of [[Talakadu|Talakad]], who had earlier served as [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadamba]] feudatories. Kirttivarman may have defeated them during his campaign against the Kadambas, and probably reinstated them after they agreed to accept his suzerainty. The Ganga rival of Kirttivarman was most probably Durvinita.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=43}}

=== Other purported victories ===

The Mahakuta Pillar inscription also claims that Kirttivarman defeated the rulers of [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]], [[Anga]], [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], Vattura (unidentified), [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]], [[Madra]]ka, Kerala (Cheras of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala<ref name=":0">Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala: Brahmin Oligarchy and Ritual Monarchy: Political and Social Conditions of Kerala Under the Cēra Perumāḷs of Makōtai (c. AD 800 - AD 1124).'' Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 90.</ref>), [[Western Ganga dynasty|Ganga]], [[Mushika Kingdom|Mushaka]] (northern Kerala<ref name=":0" />), [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]], Dramila (possibly the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]]{{sfn|C. R. Srinivasan|1979|p=28}}), [[Chola dynasty|Choliya]], [[Alupa dynasty|Aluka]] and [[Kadamba dynasty|Vaijayanti]]. This is an obvious poetic exaggeration,{{sfn|Dineschandra Sircar|1971|p=165}} and these claims do not appear even in the inscriptions of Kirttivarman's own son, [[Pulakeshin II]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=39}} Most of these territories were not a part of the Chalukya empire even at its zenith.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=44}}<ref name=":0" />

== Extent of the kingdom ==

Kirttivarman inherited a small kingdom centered around [[Vatapi]], and expanded it substantially. At its height, his kingdom extended from the [[Konkan]] coast of present-day [[Maharashtra]] in north to the [[Shimoga district]] of Karnataka in the south; and from the [[Arabian Sea]] in the west to the [[Kurnool district|Kurnool]] and [[Guntur district|Guntur]] districts ([[Andhra Pradesh]]) in the east.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=44}}

== Administration ==

The Godachi inscription describes Kirttivarman as someone "who felt delighted in fostering justice to his subjects".{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}}

His minister Vyaghrasvamin, who held the offices of ''Rajyasarvasya'' and ''Dhurandhara'', was a learned man.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}}

The [[Chiplun]] inscription of Satyashraya describes Kirttivarman I as "the first maker" of the Vatapa city,{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=44}} although other Chalukya inscriptions credit his father [[Pulakeshin I]] with making Vatapi the dynasty's capital and constructing a fort there.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=35}} This discrepancy can be explained by assuming that the construction of the Vatapi fort was started during Pulakeshin's reign, and was completed during Kirttivarman's reign.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=37}}

== Religion ==

According to the Mahakuta Pillar inscription, Kirttivarman performed the Agnishtoma and Bahusuvarna ritual sacrifices. The Godachi inscription states that he was well-versed in all the [[Shastra]]s and [[Smriti]]s.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}} The Mahakuta Pillar inscription of his brother Mangalesha states that Mangalesha constructed a [[Vishnu]] temple on his orders.{{sfn|K. A. Nilakanta Sastri|1960|p=208}}

== Personal life ==

Kirttivarman married a sister of the Sendraka king Shri-vallabha Senanada, as attested by the Chiplun inscription of Pulakeshin II. The Sendrakas were former Kadamba vassals, who had transferred their allegiance to the Chalukyas after Kirttivarman's conquest of the Kadamba kingdom.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=41}}

He had at least three sons: [[Pulakeshin II]], [[Kubja_Vishnuvardhana|Vishnuvardhana]], and Buddha-varasa. The Nirpan grant inscription names [[Chalukyas of Navasarika#Dharashraya Jayasimhavarman|Dharashraya Jayasimha]] as a son of Kirttivarman, but according to [[J. F. Fleet]], this inscription is spurious.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}}

== Succession ==

Kirttivarman was succeeded by his brother [[Mangalesha]], who was succeeded by Kirttivarman's son Pulakeshin II. The inscriptions of the Kalyani Chalukyas suggest that Mangalesha assumed the throne because Pulakeshin II was a minor at the time of Kirttivarman's death, and returned the kingdom to Pulakeshin II when the latter became an adult. However, the [[Aihole inscriptions|Aihole]] ''[[prashasti]]'' inscription of Pulakeshin II suggests that there was a conflict over the throne, which resulted in the murder of Mangalesha.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}}

The later records of the family largely ignore Mangalesha, and the inscriptions from the reign of Mangalesha are not dated in a [[calendar era]]. [[John Faithfull Fleet|J. F. Fleet]] assumed 597-598 CE as the beginning of Mangalesha's reign, but this cannot be said with certainty.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|pp=48-49}} Therefore, the length of Kirttivarman's reign cannot be determined with certainty based on the available evidence.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=39}} He seems to have ruled up to 591-592 CE.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=45}}

== Inscriptions ==

The following inscriptions from Kirttivarman's reign have been discovered:{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=38}}

* 578 CE Badami inscription
** Records the construction of a [[Vishnu]] temple by the king's younger brother Mangalishvara ([[Mangalesha]])
* [[Godachi]] copper-plate inscription
** Issued during the 12th regnal year of the king
** Records the gift of a field to a [[brahmin|brahmana]] at the request of the minister Vyaghrasvamin, who held the titles ''Rajya-sarvasa'' and ''Dhurandhara''

Some scholars have dated the [[Adur, Haveri|Adur]] inscription to his reign, but that is inscription was issued during the reign of Kirttivarman II.{{sfn|Durga Prasad Dikshit|1980|p=38}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=C. R. Srinivasan |title=Kanchipuram Through the Ages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dJEcAAAAMAAJ |year=1979 |publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan }}
* {{cite book |author=Dineschandra Sircar |title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC&pg=PA165 |year=1971 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0690-0 }}
* {{cite book |author=Durga Prasad Dikshit |title=Political History of the Chālukyas of Badami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lEB11tKmCgcC&pg=PA152 |year=1980 |publisher=Abhinav |oclc=8313041 }}
* {{cite book |author=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri |author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri |chapter=The Chaḷukyās of Bādāmi |editor=Ghulam Yazdani |title=The Early History of the Deccan |volume=I-VI |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1ZDAAAAYAAJ |year=1960 |publisher=Oxford University Press |oclc=174404606 }}
* {{cite book |author=T. V. Mahalingam |title=Kāñcīpuram in early South Indian history |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oO-AAAAAIAAJ |year=1969 |publisher=Asia Publishing House |isbn=9780210227015 }}
{{ref end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirtivarma 01}}
[[Category:Early Chalukyas]]
[[Category:6th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Chalukya kings]]

Kirttivarman I - Revision history

GenevaHarcus at 20:11, 31 December 2025